Lifting apparatus and a radiation system including the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a lifting apparatus. The lifting apparatus may include a base column, a mobile column, a sliding component, a supporting arm, a lifting system, and a move-coordination system. The mobile column connected to the base column may be vertically movable relative to the base column. The lifting system may be configured to cause the movement of the mobile column. The sliding component connected to the mobile column may be vertically movable relative to the mobile column. The mobile column and the sliding component may be connected via the move-coordination system, which enables the sliding component and the mobile column to move simultaneously according to a predetermined relative motion relationship. The supporting arm may be connected to the sliding component.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/504,421, filed on Jul. 8, 2019, which claims priority of ChinesePatent Application No. 201811550675.8 filed on Dec. 18, 2018, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present disclosure relates to a lifting apparatus, and inparticular to a lifting apparatus integrated into a radiation apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Mobile radiation apparatus (such as mobile X-ray apparatus, mobile gammaray appliances) have special application value in an operating room, anintensive care unit, or other scenarios where a patient has impairedphysical mobility and a radiation imaging/therapy is needed. A liftingapparatus is usually part of the mobile radiation apparatus to supportand move a radiation emitting component (e.g., an X-ray emitter) withrespect to the body of the mobile radiation apparatus, so that theradiation emitting component will not block the sight of the operatorwho is moving the mobile radiation apparatus, thereby avoidingcollisions and accidents.

Moreover, the lifting apparatus also helps the radiation emittingcomponent to emit radiation rays to the patient in a proper angle and/orposition, That is to say, a properly designed lifting apparatus with anenlarged movement range of the radiation component is able to facilitatethe imaging/therapy process as well as the movement of the mobileradiation apparatus. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a liftingapparatus that provides a relatively large movement range for theradiation component of a mobile radiation apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a lifting apparatus isprovided. The lifting apparatus may include a base column, a mobilecolumn; a sliding component, a supporting arm, a lifting system, and amove-coordination system. The mobile column connected to the base columnmay be vertically movable relative to the base column. The liftingsystem may be configured to cause the movement of the mobile column. Thesliding component connected to the mobile column may be verticallymovable relative to the mobile column. The mobile column and the slidingcomponent may be connected via the move-coordination system, whichenables the sliding component and the mobile column to movesimultaneously according to a predetermined relative motionrelationship. The supporting arm may be connected to the slidingcomponent.

In some embodiments, the predetermined relative motion relationship mayinclude the sliding component moving relative to the base column and themobile column moving relative to the sliding component both along a samedirection. A moving distance of the sliding component relative to themobile column may be proportional to a moving distance of the mobilecolumn relative to the base column.

In some embodiments, the move-coordination system may include a firstpulley and a first cable coiled around the first pulley. A first end ofthe first cable may be connected to the base column. A rotating shaft ofthe first pulley may be connected to the mobile column. A second end ofthe first cable is connected to the sliding component through the firstpulley.

In some embodiments, the first pulley may be a single radii-pulley or atwo-radii pulley having a first radius and a second radius.

In some embodiments, a ratio of the first radius to the second radiusmay be equal to a ratio of a vertical movement distance of the mobilecolumn relative to the base column to a vertical movement distance ofthe sliding component relative to the mobile column.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may be configured to cause themobile column to move relative to the base column according to apredetermined moving manner.

In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus may further include a firstmotor connected to and drive the move-coordination system.

In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus may further include a firstcontroller in communication with the first motor. The first controllermay be configured to cause the first motor to move the sliding componentto a predetermined position.

In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus may further include a lockingmechanism having a first state and a second state. In the first state,the locking mechanism may unlock at least one element of themove-coordination system or the lifting system to enable the slidingcomponent to move. In the second state, the locking mechanism may lockthe at least one element of the move-coordination system or at least oneelement of the lifting system to stop/disable the sliding component frommoving.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may include a cone pulley, atleast one movable pulley, a spring and a second cable. A rotating shaftof the cone pulley may be connected to the base column. A first end ofthe spring may be connected to the base column, and a second end of thespring may be connected to the rotating shaft of the at least onemovable pulley. The second cable may be coiled around the at least onemovable pulley and the cone pulley. A first end of the second cable maybe connected to the base column. The second end of the second cable maybe connected to the mobile column. The second cable may be coiled aroundthe cone pulley in a manner that a pulling force by the second end ofthe second cable on the mobile column may be in balance with the forceby the mobile column and the components thereon to the second cable.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may include a block and tackleincluding one or more movable pulleys and one or more first fixedpulleys. The rotating shafts of the one or more first fixed pulleys maybe connected to the base column. The rotating shafts of the one or moremovable pulleys may be connected to the second end of the spring. Thesecond cable may be coiled around the pulleys of the block and tackleand the cone pulley.

In some embodiments, the cone pulley may be driven by a second motor.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may adopt a leadscrew mechanismincluding a third motor, a screw rod, and a nut. The screw rod may bedisposed on the base column. The third motor may be configured to drivethe screw rod to rotate. The nut may be disposed on the screw. The nutmay be connected to the mobile column to drive the mobile column.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may include an electric cylinderor an electro-hydraulic push rod. The electric cylinder or theelectro-hydraulic push rod may be disposed on the base column. Theelectric cylinder or the electro-hydraulic push rod may be configured todrive the mobile column to move.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may include a spring balancerand a second fixed pulley. A housing of the spring balancer may beconnected to the base column. A cable of the spring balancer may becoiled around the second fixed pulley, and an end of the cable isconnected to the mobile column. A rotating shaft of the second fixedpulley may be connected to the base column.

In some embodiments, the lifting system may further include a fourthmotor configured to drive the spring balancer to release or retract thecable.

In some embodiments, the supporting arm may be a telescopic armextendable and retractable along a substantially horizontal directionrelative to the base column.

In some embodiments, the object may include a radiation component foremitting radiation rays.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a radiationsystem is provided. The radiation system may include a body, a radiationcomponent for emitting radiation rays and a lifting apparatus. Thelifting apparatus may include a base column, a mobile column, a slidingcomponent, a supporting arm, a lifting system, and a move-coordinationsystem. The base column may be connected to the body and rotatablerelative to the body with respect to a vertical axis. The mobile columnmay be connected to the base column and is vertically movable relativeto the base column. The lifting system may be configured to cause avertical movement of the mobile column relative to the base column. Thesliding component may be connected to the mobile column and bevertically movable relative to the mobile column. The mobile column andthe sliding component may be connected via the move-coordination system,which enables the sliding component to move simultaneously according toa predetermined relative motion relationship. The supporting arm may beconnected to the sliding component. The supporting arm may be configuredto support the radiation component.

In some embodiments, the radiation system may further include a controlunit configured to control the radiation component.

In some embodiments, the body may include a chassis and a mobilecomponent connected to the chassis. The mobile component may enable auser to move the radiation system to another location.

In some embodiments, the supporting arm may be a telescopic armextendable and retractable relative to the sliding component along asubstantially horizontal direction, thus allowing the radiationcomponent to be moved further away or brought closer to the telescopiccolumn along the substantially horizontal direction.

Additional features will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the artupon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or maybe learned by production or operation of the examples. The features ofthe present disclosure may be realized and attained by practice or useof various aspects of the methodologies, instrumentalities andcombinations set forth in the detailed examples discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is further described in terms of exampleembodiments. These example embodiments are described in detail withreference to the drawings. These embodiments are non-limiting examples,in which like reference numerals represent similar structures throughoutthe several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile radiation apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a retraction state of themobile radiation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lifting apparatus of themobile radiation apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the lifting apparatusillustrated in FIG. 3 in the retraction state according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lifting apparatus accordingto some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatusaccording to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lifting apparatusaccording to still some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric liftingapparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a lifting apparatus for lifting orlowering an object. The lifting apparatus may include a base column, amobile column, a sliding component, a supporting arm, a lifting system,and a move-coordination system. The mobile column may be connected tothe base column and is vertically movable relative to the base column.The lifting system may be configured to cause the vertical movement ofthe mobile column. The sliding component may be connected to the mobilecolumn and is vertically movable relative to the mobile column. Themobile column and the sliding component are connected via themove-coordination system, which may enable the sliding component to movealong with the mobile column according to a predetermined relativemotion relationship. The supporting arm is connected to the slidingcomponent and configured to support the object. The predeterminedrelative motion relationship may allow the sliding component and themobile column to move along the same direction, and the moving distanceof the sliding component is proportional to the moving distance of themobile column. Such a configuration may enlarge the movement range ofthe object supported on the supporting arm with respect to the basecolumn of the lifting apparatus. In some embodiments, such a liftingapparatus may be integrated into a mobile radiation apparatus and theobject supported on the supporting arm may be the radiation component ofthe mobile radiation apparatus. The lifting apparatus may facilitate theimaging/therapy process as well as the movement of the mobile radiationapparatus. However, it is noted that the lifting apparatus may also beimplemented in other application fields.

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present disclosure, and is provided in thecontext of a particular application and its requirements, Variousmodifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein maybe applied to other embodiments and applications without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the presentdisclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the claims.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe relevant disclosure. However, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without suchdetails. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, systems,components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relativelyhigh-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringaspects of the present disclosure. Various modifications to thedisclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limitedto the embodiments shown, but to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”,“comprises”, and/or “comprising”, “include”, “includes”, and/or“including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first elementcould be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element couldbe termed a first element, without departing from the scope of exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example,between layers) are described using various terms, including“connected,” “attached,” and “mounted.” Unless explicitly described asbeing “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements isdescribed in the present disclosure, that relationship includes a directrelationship where no other intervening elements are present between thefirst and second elements, and also an indirect relationship where oneor more intervening elements are present (either spatially orfunctionally) between the first and second elements. In contrast, whenan element is referred to as being “directly” connected, attached, orpositioned to another element, there are no intervening elementspresent. Other words used to describe the relationship between elementsshould be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus“directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,”).

It should also be understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,”“upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “lateral”, “longitudinal” “above,”“below,” “upward(s),” “downward(s),” “left,” “right,” and other suchspatial reference terms are used in a relative sense to describe thepositions or orientations of certain surfaces/parts/components of theapparatus in relationship to other such features of the apparatus whenthe apparatus is in a normal operating position, and may change if theposition or orientation of the apparatus changes.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present disclosure,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, may become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description with reference to the accompanying drawings, allof which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile radiation apparatus100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is aschematic diagram illustrating a retraction state of the mobileradiation apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to someembodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the mobileradiation apparatus 100 may be configured to generate a medical image(e.g., an X-ray image, a computed tomography (CT) image, a positronemission computed tomography (PET) image, a magnetic resonance (MR)image, an ultrasound image), perform a radiation therapy (e.g., fortreating a tumor), or the like, or any combination thereof. The mobileradiation apparatus 100 may be or include a mobile X-ray apparatus(mobile X-ray device), a mobile alpha ray apparatus, a mobile beta rayapparatus, a mobile gamma ray apparatus, a mobile proton/heavy particleaccelerator, a mobile ultrasound apparatus, or the like, or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the mobile radiation apparatus 100 may include alifting apparatus 110 and a body 120. Specifically, the liftingapparatus 110 may be disposed on the body 120, and the body 120 may beconfigured to support the lifting apparatus 110. The body 120 mayinclude a chassis. The chassis may be disposed on the bottom of the body120. At least one mobile component may be connected to the chassis andmay enable a user to move the radiation system to another location. Insome embodiments, the at least one mobile component may be or include aplurality of wheels to facilitate the movement of the mobile radiationapparatus 100. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels (e.g., fourwheels) may be universal wheels disposed on each corner of the bottom ofthe body 120. In some embodiments, the plurality of wheels may includeone or more (e.g., one, two) universal wheels and one or more (e.g.,two) fixed wheels. The one or more universal wheels may be configured tocontrol the moving direction of the mobile radiation apparatus 100. Theone or more fixed wheels may be configured to assist the movement of themobile radiation apparatus 100. It is noted that, the at least onemobile component may take any other proper form for moving the mobileradiation apparatus 100 in different application scenarios orenvironments, such as wheels, robotic legs, caterpillar tracks, etc.

The lifting apparatus 110 may include a base column 111, a mobile column112, a sliding component 113, and a supporting arm 114. The liftingapparatus 110 may be configured to lift the support arm 114. The basecolumn 111 may be disposed on the body 120. The base column 111 may beconnected to the body 120 and rotate around the body 120. In someembodiments, the base column 111 may be rotatable around a vertical axisof the body. In some embodiments, the vertical axis may be the centralaxis of the base column 111 or a vertical rotating shaft located at thecenter of the cross section of the base column 111. In some embodiments,the vertical axis may not be the central axis of the base column 111.For example, the vertical axis may be the central axis of a verticalrotating shaft that is not located at the center of the cross section ofthe base column 111 or even outside the base column 111. In someembodiments, the base column 111 may be connected to the body 120through one or more machine elements such as a bearing, a turntable, orthe like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the basecolumn 111 may be rotatable about the vertical axis with any reasonableangle according to actual need. For example, the base column 111 may berotated about the vertical axis with an angle of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°,75°, 90°, 180°, 270°, etc. In some embodiments, the cantilever end ofthe supporting arm 114 may support a radiation component 130 (e.g., anX-ray emitter). Specifically, the radiation component 130 may include atube 131 and a collimator 132. In some embodiments, the supporting arm114 may be telescopic. For example, the supporting arm 114 may includemultiple portions (or be referred to as stages) arranged in amulti-stage telescopic form, in which a first portion adjacent to asecond portion may be nested within the second portion and is extendedor retracted relative to the second portion. Such a configuration mayallow the radiation component 130 to move along the supporting arm 114.In some embodiments, the supporting arm 114 may be extendable andretractable along a substantially horizontal direction relative to thebase column 111. Correspondingly, the radiation component 130 may movealong the substantially horizontal direction back and forth. As shown inFIG. 1 , via the movement of the mobile radiation apparatus 100, therotation of the base column 111 relative to the body 120, the movementof the sliding component 113 and the mobile column 112, and theextension and retraction of the supporting arm 114, the radiationcomponent 130 may be conveniently moved to any position to facilitatethe radiation imaging/therapy in different scenarios. As shown in FIG. 2, when the mobile radiation apparatus 100 is not operating or moving, itmay be retracted to the retraction state to save space and avoidobscuring the sight of a mover. The process of retracting the mobileradiation apparatus 100 from an extension state (e.g., as shown in FIG.1 ) to the retraction state may include retracting the supporting arm114, lowering the mobile column 112 and rotating the base column 111 totheir default positions relative to the body 120.

In some embodiments, the body 120 may include a user console (or bereferred to as a control unit). The user console may be configured tocontrol the radiation component 130 to perform a radiation imaging or aradiation therapy on a patient. In some embodiments, the user consolemay be configured further to control the lifting apparatus 110 and/orthe at least one mobile component. For example, the user console maycause the movement of the mobile radiation apparatus 100, the rotationof the base column 111, the vertical movement of the lifting apparatus110, and/or the extension and retraction of the supporting arm 114 bytransmitting one or more control signals thereto.

It is noted that, the lifting apparatus 110 may also be adopted inapplication scenarios other than a mobile radiation apparatus. Forexample, the lifting apparatus 110 may be integrated into a fixedradiation apparatus that cannot be moved to another location and supportthe radiation component of the fixed radiation apparatus. As anotherexample, the lifting apparatus 110 may be integrated into a craneconfigured to deliver building materials (or other objects) from a lowerposition to a higher position, or vice versa. The application field ofthe lifting apparatus 110 is not limited in the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the lifting apparatus 110 ofthe mobile radiation apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematicdiagram illustrating the lifting apparatus 110 illustrated in FIG. 3 inthe retraction state according to some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Embodiments of the lifting apparatus 110 are described indetail as following, which is merely for demonstration purposes and notintended to be limiting.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lifting apparatus 110 may include a basecolumn 111, a mobile column 112, a sliding component 113, and asupporting arm 114. The mobile column 112 may be connected to the basecolumn 111 and is movable relative to the base column 111. In someembodiments, the lifting apparatus 110 may include a lifting system 115configured to cause a vertical movement of the mobile column 112relative to the base column 111. For example, the mobile column 112 maybe connected to the base column 111 via at least one of a guide wheel, aslide rail, or the like, or any combination thereof, so as to enable theaforementioned vertical movement. The vertical movement may also be anon-zero vertical component of a sloped movement of the mobile column112 relative to the base column 111. For example, the lifting system 115may cause the mobile column 112 to move along a diagonal path relativeto the base column 111, then the “vertical movement” may be the verticalcomponent of such a movement.

The sliding component 113 may also be connected to the mobile column 112(e.g., via at least one of a guide wheel, a slide rail) and is movablerelative to the mobile column 112. In some embodiments, the liftingsystem 115 may cause the mobile column 112 to move relative to the basecolumn 111 according to a predetermined moving pattern. For example, thelifting system 115 may cause the mobile column 112 to move apredetermined distance at a predetermined speed, within a predeterminedtime, and/or with a predetermined acceleration/deceleration. In someembodiments, the mobile column 112 and the sliding component 113 may beconnected via a move-coordination system 116, which may enable thesliding component 113 and the mobile column 112 to move simultaneouslyaccording to a predetermined relative motion relationship. In someembodiments, the predetermined relative motion relationship may includethat the sliding component 113 moves relative to the mobile column 112and the mobile column 112 moves relative to the base column 111 bothalong the same direction. For example, when the mobile column 112 ismoving upward relative to the basis column 111, the sliding component113 may also move upward relative to the mobile column 112 accordingly;when the mobile column 112 is moving downward relative to the basiscolumn 111, the sliding component 113 may also move downward relative tothe mobile column 112 accordingly. As another example, when the slidingcomponent 113 is moving upward relative to the mobile column 112, themobile column 112 may also move upward relative to the base column 111accordingly; when the sliding component 113 is moving downward relativeto the mobile column 112, the mobile column 112 may also move downwardrelative to the base column 111 accordingly. The supporting arm 114 maybe connected (e.g., fixed) to the sliding component 113, so that thesupporting arm 114 may move along with the sliding component 113. Forexample, the supporting arm 114 may be connected to the slidingcomponent 113 via bolting, welding, gluing, locking, snap-fit, or thelike, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the predetermined relative motionrelationship may include that the sliding component 113 moves relativeto the mobile column 112 and the mobile column 112 moves relative to thebase column 111 along different directions or opposite directions. Forexample, when the mobile column 112 is moving upward relative to thebasis column 111, the sliding component 113 may move downward relativeto the mobile column 112; when the mobile column 112 is moving downwardrelative to the basis column 111, the sliding component 113 may moveupward relative to the mobile column 112.

In some embodiments, the predetermined relative motion relationship mayalso include that the moving distance of the sliding component 113relative to the mobile column 112 is proportional to the moving distanceof the mobile column 112 relative to the base column 111.

It is noted that, in the present disclosure, the sliding component 113and the mobile column 112 moving according to the predetermined relativemotion relationship may represent that the direction, along which thesliding component 113 moves relative to the mobile column 112, and thedirection, along which the mobile column 112 moves relative to the basecolumn 111, are in a predetermined certain relationship. Such aconfiguration may allow the radiation component 130 supported on thesupporting arm 114 to have a relative large and predictable moving rangewith respect to the base column 111. Potential accidents due to theunpredicted movement of the sliding component 113 and/or the mobilecolumn 112 may also be reduced. In some embodiments, the aboveconfiguration may also allow (but not necessarily require) the slidingcomponent 113 and the mobile column 112 to be driven by a single drivingsystem with reduced amount of components, so as to reduce the weight ofthe lifting system 110 or the mobile radiation apparatus 100. As aresult, the balance and the mobility of the mobile radiation apparatus100 may be improved.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the move-coordination system116 may include a first pulley 1161 and a first cable 1162. A first end1162-1 of the first cable 1162 may be connected (e.g., fixed) to thebase column 111. The rotating shaft of the first pulley 1161 may beconnected (e.g., fixed) to the mobile column 112. A second end 1162-2 ofthe first cable 1162 may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the slidingcomponent 113 through the first pulley 1161. In some embodiments, thefirst pulley 1161 may be rotatable about the rotating shaft thereof. Forexample, the rotating shaft of the first pulley 1161 may be connected tothe mobile column 112 through locking, snap-fit, bolting, or the like,or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the first pulley 1161 may be disposed at the top ofthe mobile column 112. The first end 1162-1 of the first cable 1162 maybe connected (e.g., fixed) to the bottom of the base column 111. Thus,the operating of the lifting apparatus 110 may not be obstructed by thefirst cable 1162 and the first pulley 1161. In some embodiments, thefirst end 1162-1 of the first cable 1162 may be connected to anotherportion of the base column 111 (e.g., middle, top), which is not limitedin the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the second end 1162-2 ofthe first cable 1162 may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the lower middleor the bottom of the sliding component 113, thereby making the firstcable 1162 more easily to pull the mobile column 112 and the slidingcomponent 113. In some embodiments, the connection between the first end1162-1 and the base column 111 and the connection between the second end1162-2 and the sliding component 113 may be or may include welding,locking, snap-fit, fastening, or the like, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the first cable 1162 may include one or morehigh-strength materials (e.g., a metal such as steel, an alloy, aceramic material, carbon fibers, glass fibers) to ensure that thelifting apparatus 110 can normally operate.

In some embodiments, the first cable 1162 may also be replaced by twocables with suitable lengths, which may be respectively connected orfixed (e.g., fixed via locking snap-fit, fastening, tying) to the firstpulley 1161, coiled around different portions the first pulley 1161, sothat the lifting apparatus 110 can normally operate. For example, one ofthe two cables may coil around a portion of the first pulley 1161 thatis closer to the mobile column 112. The other one of the two cables maycoil around a portion of the first pulley 1161 that is closer to thesliding component 113.

In some embodiments, a groove may be disposed on the outer surface ofthe first pulley 1161, and the first cable 1162 may coil around thefirst pulley 1161 in the groove, so that the movement of lifting andlowering the sliding component 113 along with the components thereon maybe smooth.

In some embodiments, a safety locking mechanism may be disposed betweenthe mobile column 112 and the base column 111, and/or, between thesliding component 113 and the mobile column 112 to prevent the mobilecolumn 112 and/or the sliding component 113 from falling when the firstcable 1162 is broken. For example, the safety locking mechanism may beor include an electrically magnetic attachment mechanism (such as anelectromagnet). For example, the electrically magnetic attachmentmechanism may include an attaching end and a magnet end that canelectromagnetically attract to each other, attaching together. Theattaching end may include an electromagnet, and the magnet end mayinclude a permanent magnet or one or more ferromagnetic materials (e.g.,Fe or an alloy thereof). The attaching end and the magnet end may berespectively disposed on the mobile column 112 and the base column 111,and/or be respectively disposed on the sliding component 113 and themobile column 112. For example, the attaching end may be mounted on themobile column 112, and the magnet end may be mounted on the base column111. For example, when a locking is in need (e.g., when a falling of themobile column 112 or a broken of the first cable 1162 is detected), theelectrically magnetic attachment mechanism may be powered to generate anelectromagnetically attractive force between the attaching end and themagnet end, thereby causing the mobile column 112 to be attached to thebase column 111 to prevent the falling. It is also possible that themagnetic end is mounted on the sliding component 113, and the magnet endis mounted on the mobile column 112.

In some embodiments, the safety locking mechanism may be disposed on thefirst pulley 1161. For example, the attaching end may be mounted on themobile column 112, and the magnet end may be disposed on the firstpulley 1161 (e.g., the first pulley 1161 itself may also serve as themagnet end). When a locking is in need, the electrically controlledmagnetic structure may be powered to generate an electromagneticallyattractive force between the mobile column 112 and the first pulley 1161to block the rotation of the first pulley 1161.

In some embodiments, the safety locking mechanism may include or be inconnection with one or more detectors (e.g., sensors). The one or moredetectors may be configured to detect whether the first cable 1162 isbroken or whether the mobile column 112 is falling. For example, the oneor more detectors may include a tension sensor, e.g., disposed on themobile column 112, the sliding component 113, or the base column 111.The tension sensor may be connected to the first cable 1162 andconfigured to detect the tension of the first cable 1162. When thedetected tension of the first cable 1162 is smaller than a predeterminedvalue (e.g., zero), the cable may be determined as broken. As anotherexample, the one or more detectors may include a speed sensor, e.g.,disposed on the mobile column 112, the sliding component 113, thesupporting arm 114, or the radiation component 130. The speed sensor maybe configured to detect the speed of the mobile column 112, the slidingcomponent 113, and/or the radiation component 130. When the detectedspeed is larger than a predetermined value, the mobile column 112 may bedetermined as being falling. When the one or more detectors detect thatthe cable is broken or the mobile column 112 is falling, it may transmita control signal to a controller that controls the safety lockingmechanism. In response to the control signal, the controller may causethe safety locking mechanism to operate to stop the falling of themobile column 112.

In some embodiments, the safety locking mechanism may include multipleattracting ends and corresponding magnetic ends to enhance the lockingperformance.

In some embodiments, the first pulley 1161 may be a pulley with auniform radius (or be referred to as a single-radius pulley), i.e., theradius of a portion of the first pulley 1161 that is closer to themobile column 112 may be equal to the radius of a portion of the firstpulley 1161 that is closer to the sliding component 113. In someembodiments, the first pulley 1161 may be a multi-radii pulley such as atwo-radii pulley. For example, the radius of a portion of the firstpulley 1161 that is closer to the mobile column 112 may be differentfrom the radius of a portion of the first pulley 1161 that is closer tothe sliding component 113. In these cases, when the first pulley 1161 isa single-radius pulley, through the move-coordination system 116, themoving distance (or speed) of the mobile column 112 relative to the basecolumn 111 may be equal to the moving distance (or speed) of the slidingcomponent 113 relative to the mobile column 112. In other words, themoving distance (or speed) of the sliding component 113 relative to thebase column 111 is twice the moving distance (or speed) of the mobilecolumn 112 relative to the base column 111. In these cases, when thefirst pulley 1161 is a multi-radii pulley such as a two-radii pulley,the ratio of the moving distance (or speed) of the mobile column 112relative to the base column 111 to the moving distance (or speed) of thesliding component 113 relative to mobile column 112 may be adjusted byadjusting the ratio of the two radius of the two-radii pulley. (In otherwords, the ratio of the moving distance (or speed) of the mobile column112 relative to the base column 111 to the moving distance (or speed) ofthe sliding component 113 relative to mobile column 112 may be adjustedby adjusting the ratio of the two radius of the two-radii pulley). Forexample, the moving distance (or speed) of the mobile column 112relative to the base column 111 may be configured as being larger thanthe moving distance (or speed) of the sliding component 113 relative tothe mobile column 112.

In some embodiments, the ratio of the two radius of the two-radii pulleymay be equal to the ratio of the moving range of the mobile column 112relative to the base column 111 (e.g., the maximum moving distance) tothe moving range of the sliding component 113 relative to the mobilecolumn 112. For example, assuming that the radius of the portion of thefirst pulley 1161 that is closer to the mobile column 112 is D, and theradius of the portion of the first pulley 1161 that is closer to thesliding component 113 is d. The moving range of the mobile column 112relative to the base column 111 is S₁, and the moving range of thesliding component 113 relative to the mobile column 112 is S₂. Therelationship between D, d, S₁ and S₂ may be expressed by:D/d=S ₁ /S ₂,  Formula (1).The moving range S₃ of the sliding component 113 relative to the basecolumn 111 may be determined by:S ₃ =S ₁ +S ₂.  Formula (2).When the mobile column 112 is lifted to the highest position (or loweredto the lowest position) relative to the base column 111, the slidingcomponent 113 may also be lifted to the highest position (or lowered tothe lowest position) relative to the mobile column 112. Consequently,the total vertical moving range of the supporting arm 114 as well as theradiation component 130 may be remarkably increased in a given timeperiod.

In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus 110 may also include a firstmotor. The first motor may be connected to and configured to drive themove-coordination system 116. For example, the first motor may controlthe movement of the sliding component 113 and/or the mobile column 112by driving the rotation of the first pulley 1161 in themove-coordination system 116. In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus110 may also include a controller in communication with the first motorto control the operation of the first motor, so as to move the slidingcomponent 113 to a predetermined position. For example, according to thepredetermined position and current position of the sliding component113, the controller may determine a moving distance for moving thesliding component 113. Based on the determined moving distance, thecontroller may control the direction of the rotation, a power-on time,and/or the current passing through the first motor, thereby moving thesliding component 113 to the predetermined position. In someembodiments, the lifting apparatus 110 may also include a lockingmechanism (such as the aforementioned safety locking mechanism). Thelocking mechanism may include a first state and a second state. In thefirst state (e.g., the unlocked state), the locking mechanism may unlockat least one element of the move-coordination system 116 (e.g., thefirst pulley 1161 and/or the first cable 1162) to enable the slidingcomponent 113 to move. In the second state (e.g., the locked state), thelocking mechanism may lock and keep locking the at least one element ofthe move-coordination system 116 (e.g., the first pulley 1161 and/or thefirst cable 1162) to stop and/or disable the sliding component 113 frommoving. For example, when the sliding component 113 accidentally movesor falls (e.g., detected by the aforementioned one or more detectors),the locking mechanism may stop the falling of the sliding component 113.As another example, when the radiation component 130 is operating and isrequired to be still, the locking mechanism may also lock the at leastone element to avoid potential accidents and damage.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may be or may include anelectrically magnetic attachment mechanism (such as an electromagnet)that may prevent the first pulley 1161 from rotating byelectromagnetically attaching the first pulley 1161. Alternatively oradditionally, the locking mechanism may be or include any otherreasonable mechanism known in the art for stopping or disabling therotation of the first pulley 1161, such as a friction mechanism, ablocking mechanism, or the like, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the lifting system 115 may include a cone pulley1151, at least one movable pulley 1152-1, a spring 1153, and a secondcable 1154. The rotating shaft of the cone pulley 1151 may be connected(e.g., fixed) to the base column 111. The cone pulley 1151 may rotateabout the rotating shaft thereof. For example, the rotating shaft of thecone pulley 1151 may be connected to the base column 111 throughlocking, snap-fit, bolting, or the like, or any combination thereof. Oneend of the spring 1153 may be connected (e.g., fixed via locking orwelding) to the base column 111, and the other end of the spring 1153may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the at least one movable pulley1152-1, In some embodiments, a plurality of grooves may be disposed onthe outer surface of the cone pulley 1151 to accommodate and constrainthe second cable 1154 coiled on the cone pulley 1151. The second cable1154 may coil around the at least one movable pulley 1152-1 and the conepulley 1151. For example, a first end 1154-1 of the second cable 1154may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the base column 111, and a second end1154-2 of the second cable 1154 may be connected (e.g., fixed) to themobile column 112. The connection between the second cable 1154 and thebase column 111 and/or the connection between the second cable 1154 andthe mobile column 112 may be a connection via locking, snap-fit, gluing,fastening, tying, or the like. In some embodiments, by presetting thediameter/radius variation and the grooves of the cone pulley 1151 andcoiling the second cable 1154 around the cone pulley 1151 with a presettrajectory, the mobile column 112 and the components (e.g., the slidingcomponent 113, the support arm 114, etc.) thereon may be smoothly movedrelative to the base column 111. For example, the coiling diameters ofthe second cable 1154 at different positions on the cone pulley 1151 maybe different, and may match the variation of the elastic force of thespring 1153 and/or the deformation (e.g., extension, compression) of thespring 1153 (The elastic force is equal to the product of the elasticcoefficient of the spring 1153 and the extent of the deformation of thespring 1153. For a given spring, the elastic coefficient is a constant,Therefore, the elastic force is proportional to the deformation). Thus,considering the variation of the elastic force, the moments of thesecond cable 1154 on both sides of the cone pulley may be maintained thesame. In some embodiments, the second cable 1154 may coil around thecone pulley 1151 in a manner that the puffing force by the second cable1154 on the mobile column 112 (e.g., caused by the puffing force of thespring 1153) is in balance with the force by the mobile column 112 andthe components (e.g., the sliding component 113, the support arm 114)thereon to the second cable 1154 (e.g., caused by the gravity forces ofthe mobile column 112 and the components thereon), so that during themoving, the mobile column 112 with the components thereon may bemaintained in a force-balance state and the mobile column 112 can bestopped at any position. For example, the pulling force of the secondend 1154-2 of the second cable 1154 to the mobile column 112 may beequal to the sum of the gravity forces of the mobile column 112 and thecomponents thereon and the pulling force applied by the first end 1162-1of the first cable 1162 to the mobile column 112. Assuming that theradius of the portion of the first pulley 1161 that is closer the mobilecolumn 112 is D, the radius of the portion of the first pulley 1161 thatis closer to the sliding component 113 is d, the gravity force of themobile column 112 is G₁, and the gravity force of the sliding component113 with the components thereon is G₂ Then the pulling force applied bythe second end 1154-2 of the second cable 1154 to the mobile column 112may be expressed as:

$\begin{matrix}{F = {G_{1} + {\frac{D + d}{D} \cdot {G_{2}.}}}} & {{Formula}{(3).}}\end{matrix}$

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the spring 1153 may bea tension spring. In some embodiments, the spring 1153 may also be otherelastic components. For example, the spring 1153 may also be a gasspring, an air spring, a compression spring, a mainspring, or the like,or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the second cable 1154may be an inextensible cable. For example, the second cable 1154 forpulling the mobile column 112 and the components thereon may include oneor more high-strength materials, such as a metal such as steel, analloy, a ceramic material, carbon fibers, glass fibers).

In some embodiments, the lifting system 115 may include a block andtackle 1152. The block and tackle 1152 may include one or more movablepulleys 1152-1 and one or more fixed pulleys 1152-2. The rotating shaftsof the one or more fixed pulleys (first fixed pulley) 1152-2 may beconnected (e.g., fixed) to the base column 111, and the one or moremovable pulleys 1152-1 may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the spring1153. The second cable 1154 may coil around the pulleys of the block andtackle 1152 and the cone pulley 1151. In some embodiments, the rotatingshafts of the one or more fixed pulleys 1152-2 may be connected to thetop of the base column 111. For example, the rotating shafts of the oneor more fixed pulleys 1152-2 may be connected to the top of the basecolumn 111 via one or more cables or one or more fittings. In someembodiments, the one or more movable pulleys 1152-1 may include one morepulley than the one or more fixed pulleys 1152-2. For example, as shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the lifting apparatus 110 may include one fixedpulley 1152-2 and two movable pulleys 1152-1. However, the number of thefixed pulley(s) 1152-2 and the number of the movable pulley(s) 1152-1may be set according to actual needs. The block and tackle 1152 mayreduce the deformation of the spring 153, so as to prevent the damage tothe spring 153 caused by excessive deformation. In some embodiments, thelifting apparatus 110 may be manually operated by an operator. Forexample, the operator may manually push or press the mobile column 112to vertically move the mobile column 112 upward or downward relative tothe base column 111. Then the move-coordination system 116 may cause thesliding component 113 to move vertically relative to the mobile column112. In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus 110 may include one ormore manually moving mechanisms (e.g., handles, holes, slots) tofacilitate the operator to lift or lower the mobile column 112 and thesliding component 113. For example, the one or more manually movingmechanisms may be disposed on the mobile column 112, the slidingcomponent 113, the supporting arm 114, etc. In some embodiments, a pairof manually moving mechanisms (e.g., handles) may be symmetricallydisposed on both sides of the mobile column 112 or the sliding component113. In some embodiments, one or more manually moving mechanisms may bedisposed at the bottom/top of the supporting arm 114. In someembodiments, one or more manually moving mechanisms may be disposed atthe middle of the mobile column 112.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatus500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The liftingapparatus 500 may be an example of the lifting apparatus 110. Comparedto the lifting apparatus 110, the lifting apparatus 500 may furtherinclude a second motor connect to the lifting system 115 and isconfigured to drive the lifting system 115. As shown in FIG. 5 , thecone pulley 1151 may be driven by the second motor (e.g., a cone pulleymotor 1155) to enable the mobile column 112 to be electrically movedrelative to the base column 111. For example, the shaft of the conepulley motor 1155 may be directly connected to the rotating shaft of thecone pulley 1151. As another example, the shaft of the cone pulley motor1155 may be indirectly connected to the rotating shaft of the conepulley 1151 via, e.g., a driving system. In some embodiments, thedriving system may adopt at least one of a magnetic coupled drivingmechanism, a hydraulic driving mechanism, a pneumatic driving mechanism,an electro-mechanical driving mechanism, a mechanical driving mechanism,or the like, or a combination thereof. When the cone pulley motor 1155is powered on, the shaft of the cone pulley motor 1155 may start torotate, which may further drive the cone pulley 1151 to rotate. Themovement of the mobile column 112 may cause the sliding component 113 tomove along the direction of the movement of the mobile column 112. Whenthe mobile column 112 is moving upward, the gravitational potentialenergy of the mobile column 112 and the components thereon (e.g., thesliding component 113, the support arm 114) may decrease and the elasticpotential energy of the spring 1153 may increase. When the mobile column112 is moving downward, the elastic potential energy of the spring 1153may decrease and the gravitational potential energy of the mobile column112 and the components thereon may increase. By using the spring 1153 asthe energy storage apparatus, the cone pulley motor 1155 may operatemore efficiently to move the mobile column 112 upward and downward. Insome embodiments, the cone pulley motor 1155 may be a variable frequencymotor, a gear motor, a servo motor, or the like. In some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 5 , the mobile column 112 may be electrically movedrelative to the base column 111 by the second motor, or be movedmanually by an operator (for example, the operator may manually push orpress the mobile column 112). In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus150 may further include a controller in communication with the secondmotor (e.g., cone pulley motor 1155) to control the second motor and tomove the sliding component 113 to a predetermined position. In someembodiments, the lifting apparatus 115 may also include a lockingmechanism. The locking mechanism may include a first state and a secondstate. In the first state (e.g., the unlocked state), the lockingmechanism may unlock at least one element of the lifting system 115(e.g., the cone pulley 1151) to enable the sliding component 113 tomove. In the second state (e.g., the locked state), the lockingmechanism may lock and keep locking the at least one element of thelifting system 115 to stop and/or disable the sliding component 113 frommoving. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may be or may includean electrically magnetic attachment mechanism (such as an electromagnet)that may prevent the cone pulley 1151 from rotating byelectromagnetically attaching the cone pulley 1151. Alternatively oradditionally, the locking mechanism may be or include any otherreasonable mechanism known in the art for stopping or disabling therotation of the first pulley 1161, such as a friction mechanism, ablocking mechanism, or the like, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the second cable 1154 may also be pulled or coiledby manually rotating the cone pulley 1151, so as to manual move themobile column 112 and the components (e.g., the sliding component 113,the support arm 114) thereon. For example, a handle may be connected tothe shaft of the cone pulley 1151 to allow an operator to manuallyrotate the cone pulley 1151. As another example, a handle may bedisposed outside to the base column 111 and be connected to the shaft ofthe cone pulley via a transmission system (e.g., a universaltransmission system, a gearing transmission system, a belt drive system)to drive the cone pulley 1151.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lifting apparatus 210according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is aschematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatus 700according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is aschematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatus 800according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. Thelifting apparatus 700 and the lifting apparatus 800 are examples of thelifting apparatus 210.

Compared to the lifting apparatus 110 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , asshown in FIG. 6 , the lifting apparatus 210 may include a gas spring 215instead of the spring 1153. By using the gas spring 215, the liftingprocess of the lifting apparatus 110 may be smoother and more reliable,and the service life of the lifting apparatus 110 may be extended. Forexample, the gas spring 215 may include a pressure cylinder 2151 and apiston rod 2152. As shown in FIG. 6 , the pressure cylinder 2151 may beconnected (e.g., fixed) to the base column 111. The piston rod 2152 maybe connected to the rotating shafts of the one or more movable pulleys1152-1. In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus 210 as shown in FIG.6 may be manually operated by the operator.

In some embodiments, the lifting apparatus 210 may also be electricallyoperated by a driving mechanism, such as a motor. In some embodiments,as shown in FIG. 7 , compared to the lifting apparatus 210 as shown inFIG. 6 , the lifting apparatus 700 may further include a motor (e.g., acone pulley motor 2153) to drive the cone pulley 1151. For example, thecone pulley motor 2153 may be a variable frequency motor, a gear motor,a servo motor, or the like, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 8 , compared to the lifting apparatus 210as shown in FIG. 6 , the lifting apparatus 800 may further include amotor (e.g., a gas spring motor 2154) for driving the gas spring 215.For example, the gas spring 215 may be an electric gas spring. In someembodiments, under the driving of the gas spring motor 2154, thepressure in the pressure cylinder 2151 of the gas spring 215 may change,thereby causing a change of the pulling force of the gas spring 215 tocontrol the movement of the mobile column 112 and the components (e.g.,the sliding component 113, the support arm 114) thereon. For example, anelectric piston may be disposed in the pressure cylinder 215. Theelectric piston may be driven by the motor. The pressure in the pressurecylinder 215 (e.g., the pressure between the piston rod 2152 and theelectric piston) may vary with the movement of the electric piston. Whenthe pulling force of the gas spring 215 is increased, the mobile column112 and the components thereon may be pulled up. When the pulling forceof the gas spring 215 is decreased, the mobile column 112 and thecomponents thereon may be lowered down due to the gravity force. In someembodiments, the electric gas spring may also take any other form in theart, which is not limited in the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatus310 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In someembodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 , the lifting system 115 may be orinclude a leadscrew mechanism 315. For example, the leadscrew mechanism315 may include a screw motor 3151, a screw rod 3153, and a nut 3152.The screw rod 3153 may be disposed on the base column 311, The screwmotor 3151 may be configured to drive the screw rod 3153 to rotate. Thenut 3152 may be disposed on the screw rod 3153 and cooperated with thescrew rod 3153. The nut 3152 may be connected to the mobile column 312to drive the mobile column 312 to move. In some embodiments, the screwrod 3153 may be a trapezoidal lead screw, a ball screw, or the like, orany combination thereof. The screw rod 3153 may be connected to the basecolumn 311 (e.g., the bottom of the base column) via bearings androtatable relative to the base column 311. In some embodiments, thescrew motor 3151 may include a variable frequency motor, a gear motor, aservo motor, or the like, or any combination thereof. The screw motor3151 may rotate forward and/or backward. The screw motor 3151 may drivethe screw rod 3153 to rotate about its axis via a gear transmission, abelt drive, a chain drive, a wire drive, or the like, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the nut 3152 may be connected (e.g.,fixed) to the mobile column 312 via welding, gluing, locking, snap-fit,or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the nut 3152and the mobile column 312 may also be integrated into one component. Insome embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9 , the screw motor 3151 may drivethe screw rod 3153 to rotate, and the rotation of the screw rod 3153 maycause the nut 3152 to move vertically, thereby driving the mobile column312 to move upward or downward.

In some embodiments, the lifting system 115 may also include amotor-controlled lifting mechanism such as an electric cylinder (e.g., aservo electric cylinder) or an electro-hydraulic push rod. Similar tothe leadscrew mechanism 315 as shown in FIG. 9 , the electric cylinder,the electro-hydraulic push rod, or another proper mechanism, may bedisposed (e.g., fixed) on the base column 311. The electric cylinder orthe electro-hydraulic push rod may be directly connected to the mobilecolumn 312 and drive (e.g., push) the mobile column 312 to move.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a lifting apparatus 410according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is aschematic diagram illustrating an electric lifting apparatus 1100according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The liftingapparatus 1100 may be an example of the lifting apparatus 410. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 , the lifting system 415may include a spring balancer 4153 and a fixed pulley 4152 (second fixedpulley). The housing of the spring balance 4153 may be connected (e.g.,fixed) to the base column 411. The cable of the spring balancer 4153 maybe connected (e.g., fixed) to the mobile column 412 through the fixedpulley 4152. For example, the cable may coil around the fixed pulley4152 and an end of the cable (the cable end 4154) may be connected tothe mobile column 412. The rotating shaft of the fixed pulley 4152 maybe connected (e.g., fixed) to the base column 411. In some embodiments,the spring balancer 4153 may be connected to the base column 411 viabolting, locking, snap-fit, or the like, or any combination thereof. Insome embodiments, the cable end 4154 of the spring balancer may beconnected to the mobile column 412 via locking, snap-fit, fastening,tying, or the like, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, thecable end 4154 may be connected to the lower middle or bottom of themobile column 412 so that the mobile column 112 may be better pulled. Insome embodiments, the cable of the spring balancer 4153 may include oneor more high-strength material, such as a metal, an alloy (e.g., steel),a ceramic material, carbon fibers, glass fibers, or the like, or anycombination thereof. The lifting apparatus 410 as shown in FIG. 10 maybe manually operated by an operator.

As shown in FIG. 11 , compared to the lifting system 415, the liftingsystem 1100 may further include a motor (e.g., a spring balancer motor4151) that is configured to drive the spring balancer 4153 to release orretract the cable. In some embodiments, the spring balancer motor 4151may change the puffing force of the spring balancer 4153 by rotatingforward or backward to release or retract the cable, thereby driving themobile column 412 to move upward or downward relative to the base column411. The sliding component 413 (and the supporting arm 414 thereon) mayalso move along the direction of the movement of the mobile column 412.In some embodiments, the spring balancer motor 4151 may be a variablefrequency motor, a servo motor, or any other motor that can rotateforward and backward, which is not limited herein.

Having thus described the basic concepts, it may be rather apparent tothose skilled in the art after reading this detailed disclosure that theforegoing detailed disclosure may be intended to be presented by way ofexample only and may be not limiting. Various alterations, improvements,and modifications may occur and are intended to those skilled in theart, though not expressly stated herein. These alterations,improvements, and modifications are intended to be suggested by thisdisclosure, and are within the spirit and scope of the embodiments ofthis disclosure.

Moreover, certain terminology has been used to describe embodiments ofthe present disclosure. For example, the terms “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” and/or “some embodiments” mean that a particular feature,structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentmay be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure,Therefore, it may be emphasized and should be appreciated that two ormore references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “analternative embodiment” in various portions of this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics may be combined assuitable in one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Further, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects ofthe present disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any ofa number of patentable classes or context including any new and usefulprocess, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new anduseful improvement thereof. Accordingly, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be implemented entirely hardware, entirely software(including firmware, resident software, micro-code) or combiningsoftware and hardware implementation that may all generally be referredto herein as a “unit,” “module,” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects ofthe present disclosure may take the form of a computer program productembodied in one or more computer readable media having computer readableprogram code embodied thereon.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave, Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including electro-magnetic, optical, or thelike, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signalmedium may be any computer readable medium that may be not a computerreadable storage medium and that may communicate, propagate, ortransport a program for use by or in connection with an instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. Program code embodied on acomputer readable signal medium may be transmitted using any appropriatemedium, including wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, or thelike, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, the recited order of processing elements or sequences, orthe use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefore, may be notintended to limit the claimed processes and methods to any order exceptas may be specified in the claims. Although the above disclosurediscusses through various examples what may be currently considered tobe a variety of useful embodiments of the disclosure, it may be to beunderstood that such detail may be solely for that purposes, and thatthe appended claims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but,on the contrary, are intended to cover modifications and equivalentarrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the disclosedembodiments. For example, although the implementation of variouscomponents described above may be embodied in a hardware device, it mayalso be implemented as a software only solution, for example, aninstallation on an existing server or mobile device.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description ofembodiments of the present disclosure, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereoffor the purposes of streamlining the disclosure aiding in theunderstanding of one or more of the various inventive embodiments. Thismethod of disclosure, however, may be not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed subject matter requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventiveembodiments lie in less than all features of a single foregoingdisclosed embodiment.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities or pcablertiesused to describe and claim certain embodiments of the application are tobe understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about,”“approximate,” or “substantially.” For example, “about,” “approximate,”or “substantially” may indicate ±20% variation of the value itdescribes, unless otherwise stated. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the numerical parameters set forth in the written description andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon thedesired pcablerties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. Insome embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in lightof the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinaryrounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges andparameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of theapplication are approximations, the numerical values set forth in thespecific examples are reported as precisely as practicable.

Each of the patents, patent applications, publications of patentapplications, and other material, such as articles, books,specifications, publications, documents, things, and/or the like,referenced herein may be hereby incorporated herein by this reference inits entirety for all purposes, excepting any prosecution file historyassociated with same, any of same that may be inconsistent with or inconflict with the present document, or any of same that may have alimiting affect as to the broadest scope of the claims now or laterassociated with the present document. By way of example, should there beany inconsistency or conflict between the description, definition,and/or the use of a term associated with any of the incorporatedmaterial and that associated with the present document, the description,definition, and/or the use of the term in the present document shallprevail.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of theapplication disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of theembodiments of the application. Other modifications that may be employedmay be within the scope of the application. Thus, by way of example, butnot of limitation, alternative configurations of the embodiments of theapplication may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein.Accordingly, embodiments of the present application are not limited tothat precisely as shown and describe.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus, comprising a base column, a mobile column, asliding component, and a move-coordination system, wherein: the mobilecolumn connected to the base column is vertically movable relative tothe base column; the sliding component connected to the mobile column isvertically movable relative to the mobile column; the mobile column andthe sliding component are connected via the move-coordination system,which enables the sliding component and the mobile column to movesimultaneously according to a predetermined relative motionrelationship; and the apparatus further comprises a cone pulleyconnected to the base column, wherein diameters of different axialpositions on each of two ends of the cone pulley are different, and adiameter of at least one axial position on a middle part of the conepulley is bigger than diameters of both two ends of the cone pulley. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the move-coordination system includesat least one pulley mechanism, the at least one pulley mechanismincluding a first pulley and a first cable coiled around the firstpulley, the first pulley being a multi-radii pulley having a firstradius and a second radius, wherein: a first end of the first cable isconnected to the base column, a rotating shaft of the first pulley isconnected to the mobile column, and a second end of the first cable isconnected to the sliding component through the first pulley.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein a ratio of the first radius to the secondradius is equal to a ratio of the movement distance of the mobile columnrelative to the base column to the movement distance of the slidingcomponent relative to the mobile column.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the predetermined relative motion relationship includes: thesliding component moves relative to the base column and the mobilecolumn moves relative to the sliding component both along a samedirection; and the moving distance of the sliding component relative tothe mobile column is proportional to the moving distance of the mobilecolumn relative to the base column.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus further includes a first motor connected to and configuredto drive the move-coordination system.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the apparatus further includes a first controller incommunication with the first motor, the first controller beingconfigured to cause the first motor to move the sliding component to apredetermined position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theapparatus further includes a lifting system configured to cause themobile column to move relative to the base column according to apredetermined moving manner.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theapparatus further includes a locking mechanism having a first state anda second state, wherein: in the first state, the locking mechanismunlocks at least one element of the move-coordination system or thelifting system to enable the sliding component to move, and in thesecond state, the locking mechanism locks the at least one element ofthe move-coordination system or at least one element of the liftingsystem to stop/disable the sliding component from moving.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the lifting system includes the conepulley, at least one movable pulley, a spring and a second cable,wherein: a rotating shaft of the cone pulley is connected to the basecolumn; a first end of the spring is connected to the base column and asecond end of the spring is connected to the rotating shaft of the atleast one movable pulley; the second cable is coiled around the at leastone movable pulley and the cone pulley, a first end of the second cablebeing connected to the base column and the second end of the secondcable being connected to the mobile column; and the second cable iscoiled around the cone pulley in a manner that a pulling force by thesecond end of the second cable on the mobile column is in balance withthe force by the mobile column and the components thereon to the secondcable.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lifting system includesa block and tackle including one or more movable pulleys and one or morefirst fixed pulleys, wherein: the rotating shafts of the one or morefirst fixed pulleys are connected to the base column; the rotatingshafts of the one or more movable pulleys are connected to the secondend of the spring; and the second cable is coiled around the pulleys ofthe block and tackle and the cone pulley.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9,wherein the cone pulley is driven by a second motor.
 12. The apparatusof claim 7, wherein the lifting system adopts a leadscrew mechanism,which includes a third motor, a screw rod, and a nut, wherein: the screwrod is disposed on the base column, and the third motor is configured todrive the screw rod to rotate; the nut is disposed on the screw; and thenut is connected to the mobile column to drive the mobile column. 13.The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lifting system includes anelectric cylinder or an electro-hydraulic push rod, wherein: theelectric cylinder or the electro-hydraulic push rod is disposed on thebase column; and the electric cylinder or the electro-hydraulic push rodis configured to drive the mobile column to move.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the lifting system includes a spring balancer and asecond fixed pulley, wherein: a housing of the spring balancer isconnected to the base column; a cable of the spring balancer is coiledaround the second fixed pulley and an end of the cable is connected tothe mobile column; and a rotating shaft of the second fixed pulley isconnected to the base column.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein thelifting system further includes a fourth motor configured to drive thespring balancer to release or retract the cable.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes a supporting armconnected to the sliding component, the supporting arm being atelescopic arm extendable and retractable along a substantiallyhorizontal direction relative to the base column.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the supporting arm is configured to support an object,the object including a radiation component for emitting radiation rays.18. A radiation system, comprising: a body; a radiation component foremitting radiation rays; and a lifting apparatus, comprising a basecolumn, a mobile column, a sliding component, and a move-coordinationsystem, wherein: the base column is connected to the body and rotatablerelative to the body with respect to a vertical axis; the mobile columnis connected to the base column and vertically movable relative to thebase column; the sliding component is connected to the mobile column andvertically movable relative to the mobile column; the mobile column andthe sliding component are connected via the move-coordination system,which enables the sliding component and the mobile column to movesimultaneously according to a predetermined relative motionrelationship; and the lifting apparatus further comprises a cone pulleyconnected to the base column, wherein diameter of different axialpositions on each of two ends of the cone pulley are different, and adiameter of at least one axial position on a middle part of the conepulley is bigger than diameters of both two ends of the cone pulley. 19.The radiation system of claim 18, wherein: the body include a chassisand a mobile component connected to the chassis; and the mobilecomponent enables a user to move the radiation system to anotherlocation.
 20. The radiation system of claim 18, wherein the radiationsystem further includes a supporting arm connected to the slidingcomponent, the supporting arm being configured to support the radiationcomponent, the supporting arm being a telescopic arm extendable andretractable relative to the sliding component along a substantiallyhorizontal direction, thus allowing the radiation component to be movedfurther away or brought closer to the base column along thesubstantially horizontal direction.